Arsenal sold Cameroonian international Alex Song to Barcelona last summer in what seemed like very controversial circumstances, as reports emerged of a training ground argument between Wenger and Song over the defensive midfielder’s attitude during Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia last year. The Gunners then moved swiftly to offload Song, who was one of Arsenal’s stand out performers last season, to Catalan giants Barcelona.
Song has had a forgetful year in Spain, as he has gone from starting every game for Arsenal, to warming the benches for most of the games for Barcelona. The lack of first-team chances has severely put his career development in jeopardy, and the midfielder is believed to be unhappy with his current situation. Sections of the media also suggest that he is keen to secure a switch back to the Emirates Stadium just a year after leaving it.
However, Song’s wishes to return to Arsenal are set to be ignored by Wenger, as Metro reported last month as the Gunners will overlook him and instead pursue Celtic’s Kenyan midfielder, Victor Wanyama. Since Song’s departure, Arsenal have not brought anyone into the team to replace him, as Wenger has chosen to play an out-of-position Mikel Arteta in Song’s deep-lying holding role.
Even though the Spaniard has done a decent job, the 30-year old has always lacked that steel required by a holding midfielder, something which Song certainly possessed. Therefore that lack physicality in the middle of the park has been part of Arsenal’s undoing this season, as they look to make amends for next season with the capture of a quality defensive midfielder.
Song’s plea of returning to Arsenal has fallen onto deaf ears, as Wenger is set to chase Celtic’s Wanyama instead. The young midfielder has had a breakthrough season with the Scottish giants and has earned several plaudits for his strong defensive performances and he looks like he has a great deal of upside.
With Arsenal set to chase Wanyama in the summer, do you see him arriving at the Emirates and ruining Song’s hopes of a possible reunion?